Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs in Americana

The Mavericks - The Mavericks

The Mavericks — 2013-05-14T19:35:01-05:00

On their first album since 1998, the Mavericks have finally made a Career Move that Matters--they've ditched the desperate, ultra-cool factor and settled down to play straight-head, unselfconscious pop. If Raul Malo & Company had simply done this earlier, it might have buoyed their off-and-on career, and moved them beyond country radio, where they never really belonged in the first place. As such, the album signifies a rebirth, reflected in the self-titling of what amounts to their reunion album. From the opening cut, the driving "I Wanna Know," the band immerses itself in the thrill and energy of `60s British pop, with the usual side trips to the graves of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, and to the sonic birthplace of Malo's Cuban heritage. While a faithful remake of the Hollies' "The Air That I Breathe" closes the record, it sets the scene for the album as a whole with its grandiose and theatrical homage to obsessive love. At last, the melodramatic Malo never sounds overreaching, because he's made the material match his nearly operatic vision. Throughout, The Mavericks is smart, sophisticated, and knowing, from its lush and sensuous cocktail forays ("Wondering," "A Little Too Lonely"), to its sexy Latin come-on ("San Jose") and swingy shuffle ("Because of You"), the latter of which recalls the way Presley updated hoary country songs recycled from Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold. Still, it's not the ghost of either of the big Hanks that hangs over this album, but Phil Spector. A dazzling comeback, and one of the year's best albums. --Alanna Nash

Loose Diamonds - Burning Daylight

Loose Diamonds — 2013-05-14T15:16:22-05:00

Rock Album of the Year (NAIRD) for 1993

Various Artists - Folkways Woody Guthrie Tribute

Various Artists — 2013-05-13T22:12:54-05:00

One of the more creative, successful tribute albums, A Vision Shared was originally released to coincide with a PBS program that premiered in 1988. Packing some serious heavyweights onto one CD, the record features covers of Guthrie and Leadbelly tunes by, among others, Little Richard, Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and U2. The 14 tracks consist of mostly well known tunes, and it's fascinating to hear what the artists have done to them. Particularly exciting is a supercharged version of Leadbelly's "Rock Island Line" by Little Richard with Fishbone and U2's take on Guthrie's "Jesus Christ." --Ian Landau

Kasey Chambers - Wayward Angel (Mcup)

Kasey Chambers — 2013-05-12T16:12:10-05:00

On her third album, Chambers has weathered a storm of publicity and expectation by clinging to her deeply southern--as in Australian--roots. She stands by her Dead Ringer Band kin (brother Nash Chambers produces and father Bill Chambers plays lead guitar), and her delicate songs continue to celebrate the innocence and wonder of loving and being loved. The slight adult-contemporary sheen never outshines the blues and bluegrass flourishes--indeed, "Follow You Home" rips like a Del McCoury breakdown--as she explores all the poetic potential of the conditional voice. "If I were lost would you shout my name out loud?" and "If you were a river run dry, well I'd sing you sweet by and by" are more than coy conceits. They're unforced glimpses of grace, earned by remaining faithful to who she is. Even in a holding pattern, the sweet strength of Chambers's voice and songs find room to soar. --Roy Kasten

The Little Willies - The Little Willies

The Little Willies — 2013-05-11T23:58:55-05:00

THE LITTLE WILLIES are Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, Norah Jones, Richard Julian and Dan Rieser. On their self-titled debut CD they cover a range of songs by Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt and Fred Rose, as well as bandmember originals.

Kelly Willis - One More Time: Mca Recordings

Kelly Willis — 2013-05-11T13:53:24-05:00

One word describes this overview of Willis's three years with MCA Nashville: maddening. Willis has everything: a flawless, classic country voice; a dreamy face; a shrewd eye for catchy but complex material; and a rock-steady band. Nashville and country radio should have been ready for her earthy sophistication and guileless talent; they weren't--she never cracked the Billboard Top 50--but neither was the shy, stubborn Willis ready to compromise. From 1990 to 1993, her MCA run left some fresh, exciting country music. Her biggest hit, "Baby Take a Piece of My Heart," only hints at the fiery "Little Honey" (written by Dave Alvin), the effortless swing of "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," the Bakersfield-flavored "Looking for Someone Like You," and the irresistible "Take It All Out On You" (cowritten by husband Bruce Robison). In her own way, and on her own terms, Willis has made it outside of the Nashville majors. These 14 songs are indelible reminders of just how much they missed. --Roy Kasten

Steve King Johnnie Putnam - Life After Dark

Steve King & Johnnie Putnam — 2013-05-11T12:37:37-05:00

Chicago Based Indi Label

Toni Price - Hey

Toni Price — 2013-05-11T05:39:31-05:00

Willie Nile - Places I Have Never Been

Willie Nile — 2013-05-10T15:04:07-05:00

No Description Available. Genre: Popular Music Media Format: Compact Disk Rating: Release Date: 14-APR-2009

Cowboy Junkies - Caution Horses

Cowboy Junkies — 2013-05-09T02:11:04-05:00

Sundogs - To The Bone

Sundogs — 2013-05-07T21:44:31-05:00

Joe Ely - Love & Danger

Joe Ely — 2013-05-06T21:44:08-05:00

Josh Rouse - Home

Josh Rouse — 2013-05-06T09:19:33-05:00

Nebraska-born Josh Rouse calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. And now, after writing songs for the follow-up to his intimate 1998 debut (Dressed Up Like Nebraska) from the confines of his living-room couch, the twentysomething singer-songwriter decided "Home" would be a fitting title here. Backed by a cache of cello, violin, horns, vibes, and Wurlitzer, Home delivers a newfangled punch without jumbling the simplicity and gentleness that was the first record's charm. Rouse's sentiments, emotions, and melancholy drift more on the folk or country side of songwriting. But his pleasant, whispery vocals and hook-filled melodies--especially on "Hey Porcupine," "Afraid to Fail," and "Marvin Gaye"--convey more of a pop spirit. --Scott Holter

Rich OToole - In a Minute or Two

Rich O'Toole — 2013-05-05T18:03:08-05:00

Make no mistake about it, Rich O Toole is a showman. Even at the mere age of 24, he commands the attention of an audience like that of a seasoned veteran, drawing you in with every guitar lick and making you linger on truity of his words. Rich has been touring relentlessly serving up what can only be described as his own brand of electrifying country rock-n-roll. For Rich, the journey to music was more about fate than a purposeful head on collision. A Houston native, Rich was the all American boy, playing baseball with a bright future of going pro. As is often the case, God had a different plan in mind. A baseball injury sidelined his career leaving him with a three inch scar down his elbow and the chance to pursue his other passion: music. While attending college at Texas A & M University, Rich turned his attention to his guitar and soon found himself out in front of the crowd again, this time as the front man of his own band. Trading in his baseball glove for a guitar has proved fruitful for the Aggie grad. His debut single: Queen of the Misfits, went top 5 on the Texas Music Chart and the Texas Regional Radio report after having been on the chart a short time. His latest single: Kelly Comes To Town, reached the top of the charts as well hitting the top 10 and staying their nearly 2 months. And while all of this might sound impressive, Rich O Toole is just warming up. Known for his high-octane shows, dedication to his craft, and workaholic mentality, the sky truly is the limit for this rising singer/songwriter.

just circular - in the field

just circular — 2013-05-05T16:07:11-05:00

A mixture of songs that could be called alt-country, old soul, indie rock and old-school punk this debut CD has something for everybody. For fans of Rhett Miller, Ryan Adams, Tift Merritt and the like.